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The Labeling Theory Analysis

149 Words1 Pages
The labeling theory, also known as the “societal reaction” approach, attempts to explain why people commit crimes and think of themselves as criminals (Bohm & Vogel, 2015). According to the labeling theory, society defines the individual by treating them differently or labeling them. Once the individual accepts the label, that label then defines them. This is also known as a self-fulfilling prophecy, a concept created by Robert Merton. Bohm and Vogel (2015) note that labeling theorists only try to explain what Edwin Lemert (1912-1996) identified as secondary deviance. In regards to the labeling theory, secondary deviance is described as “ the commission of crime after the first criminal act, with the acceptance of a criminal label” (Bohn &
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